CONCLUSIONS: Zyxin is a crucial ingredient of the cellular mechanotransducing system and can modulate the gene expression. Given its clinical relevance, zyxin is also a promising target for the diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases. Understanding the role of zyxin in force sensing and gene expression regulating provides a compelling challenge for future biomechanics studies, and offers attractive evidence for zyxin as a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for clinical diseases.
PMID: 30657586 [PubMed - in process]

In this study, scientists screened cells from old animals to identify any RBPs that change upon aging. The screening showed that one particular protein, Pumilio2 (PUM2), was highly induced in old animals. PUM2 binds mRNA molecules containing specific recognition sites. Upon its binding, PUM2 represses the translation of the target mRNAs into proteins.
Using a systems genetics approach, the researchers then identified a new mRNA target that PUM2 binds. The mRNA encodes for a protein called Mitochondrial Fission Factor (MFF), and is a pivotal regulator of mitochondrial fission - a process by which mitochondria break u...

Authors: Ercin BS, Bicer A, Yigitturk G, Cinar C, Cavusoglu T, Uyanikgil Y, Gurler T
Abstract
An ideal anastomosis method will obtain the highest post-anastomotic vessel patency and will repair the vessel anatomically with minimal thrombosis in an easier, faster and cheaper fashion. To achieve these goals an anastomosis model using an amniotic membrane is introduced. The study was performed on the femoral arteries of 22 Wistar Albino rats (11 control group, 11 experimental group). In the experiment group, the microvascular anastomosis was completed with three sutures and a patch of amniotic membrane which was wrapp...

Authors: Mafficini A, Scarpa A
Abstract
Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are heterogeneous regarding site of origin, biological behavior and malignant potential. There has been a rapid increase in data publication over the last 10 years, mainly driven by high-throughput studies on pancreatic and small intestinal NETs. This review summarizes the present knowledge on genetic and epigenetic alterations. We integrated the available information from each compartment to give a pathway-based overview. This provided a summary of the critical alterations sustaining neoplastic cells. It also highlig...

ini
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecological cancer. It is initially responsive to cisplatin and carboplatin, two DNA damaging agents used in first line therapy. However, almost invariably, patients relapse with a tumor resistant to subsequent treatment with platinum containing drugs. Several mechanisms associated with the development of acquired drug resistance have been reported. Here we focused our attention on DNA repair mechanisms, which are fundamental for recognition and removal of platinum adducts and hence for the ability of these drugs to exert their activity. We analyzed the major DNA...